Dr Cory Couillard

Image courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net Cory Couillard We are all sitting more than ever before.  Many prefer to sit and watch sport versus play and the majority of our day is sitting at work, school or in the car.  This is clearly a dangerous behavior that will play a significant role in the development of obesity, diabetes, heart disease and many cancers. Mayo Clinic obesity expert Dr. James Levine describes sitting to be as hazardous as smoking to our health.  “Sitting all day is literally killing us,” claims Levine.  The breaking news is providing new insight into an ever-growing concern of non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes.  The results of the study indicate that we may be fighting an uphill battle if we continue to sit.  The research looked at the effects of conventional exercise on reversing the potential damage associated with sitting.  The results were not encouraging.  “Being s...

Image courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net Cory Couillard Depression is estimated to affect 350 million people worldwide. It can cause an individual to suffer greatly, function poorly at work, at school and affect one’s family life. However, the worst side effect of depression is an increased risk of suicide. Sadly, an estimated 1 million people die annually. “Antidepressants can be an effective form of treatment for moderate-severe depression but are not the first line of treatment for cases of mild depression. They should not be used for treating depression in children and are not the first line of treatment in adolescents, among whom they should be used with caution,” according to the World Health Organization (WHO). C-Reactive Protein linked to depression Two large Danish studies have found high blood levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) to be associated with an increased risk of psychological stress and depression.  A strong correlation was found between ind...

Image courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net Cory Couillard Hundreds of millions of patients around the world die or are considerably affected by diseases such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, also known as MRSA, and other severe infections that occur during patient care in healthcare facilities.  Experts agree that simple hand washing and cleanliness techniques can significantly lessen the global disease burden and promote good health.  Hand washing is a routine activity that every living individual needs to implement into his or her everyday lives – not just healthcare workers. Embedding hand hygiene promotional activities as a national priority is the key according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Specific efforts have been made to support countries with large-scale activities to promote hand hygiene within healthcare and beyond. The WHO has created a “SAVE LIVES: Clean Your Hands” campaign that is set for 5 May 2013.  T...

Image courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net Cory Couillard A new study with 431,479 study participants has reinforced that an individual having relatively no weight troubles can be at risk of developing the same conditions as an obese individual without the proper amount of exercise. Researchers call the study a wake-up call for couch potatoes of all sizes. Researchers found that 30 minutes of exercise can add an average of 3.5 extra ‘good’ years to one’s life. Higher intensity exercise was found to boast even greater results – an additional 4.2 years. There is a stigma that overweight people are always sick and skinny people are generally healthy. The research highlights that one’s weight and body type do not always matter. Choosing a healthy lifestyle and implementing proactive, preventative techniques like diet and exercise work for people of all waist sizes.  Obesity, BMI and longevity Obesity is infamous for causing diabetes and heart dise...

Image courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net Cory Couillard Drinking chemical rich tap water has been linked to an increase in the occurrence of various food allergies in children and adults. The use of environmental pesticides and purifying chemicals is an all-time high and a growing health concern. Tap water is often treated with chemicals called dichlorophenols. These chemicals are used to purify ground water so it can be consumed ‘safely’.  However, short-term safety may not be the same as long-term safety.  According to a report in TIME Magazine, 10,348 study participants who were found to have the highest levels of dichlorophenols in the body were "80 percent more likely to have food sensitivities than those with lower levels. "The authors believe the exposure to the chemicals may be contributing to a hyper-sensitive immune system that recognizes even common food proteins as foreign." Although the ultimate causes of the allergic reactions are unk...